Full Notification

DATE/TIME: October 23, 2018/4:00 pm
 
INCIDENT: Human Trafficking of a Minor
 
LOCATION: 5^th and G St., San Bernardino
 
SUSPECT(S): Daniel Thomas, 25-year-old resident of Sacramento
 
VICTIM(S): Confidential 17 year old female resident of Sacramento County
 
 
SUMMARY: On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at 4:00 pm, investigators from the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force, responded to assist San Bernardino Police Officers, who had detained a juvenile believed to be involved in prostitution. SBPD officers had been conducting an afternoon sweep in the downtown area near 5th and G St., when they noticed the female loitering in the area.  Officers contacted the female and were able to determine she was 17 years old and listed as a Missing Person out of the Sacramento area. Officers contacted Task Force members and arranged transport for the juvenile to the San Bernardino Police Station to meet investigators. Task Force investigators confirmed the victim’s age as well as her missing status. As the investigation continued, investigators learned the victim had traveled to the San Bernardino area with at least one male adult. Additional investigation led to the identity of the male, Daniel Thomas. Thomas was located by Task Force members as he walked with another male adult along 5th St.  At the time, both males were contacted, detained and transported to the station for additional interviews and investigation. Upon completion of the interviews, the second male was released, due to his lack of involvement. It was determined that Thomas and the victim had traveled to and arrived in San Bernardino on the same date and time from the Sacramento area. Investigators also determined, Thomas was aware the victim was working as a prostitute and he helped her to obtain a room at a local motel for her use. Thomas was transported and booked into San Bernardino Central Detention Center for felony violation of PC 236.1 (c) – Human Trafficking of a Minor and is being held in lieu of $150,000.
 
The victim was rescued, provided services and released into the custody of CFS for safe return to her family.
 
The San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force is made up of investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, San Bernardino Police Department, Ontario Police Department, San Bernardino Unified School District Police, California State Parole, Office of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
 
This investigation is ongoing. Investigators believe there are other unidentified victims related to this case and are asking that anyone with information related to this investigation, please contact the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force at (909)387-8400. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME or you may leave information on the WE-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
 
 
Refer:                     Dep. S. Swanson
 
Station:                  San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force
 
Phone No.             (909) 387-8400
 
Case No.                621800352
 
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department